Tag Archives: education

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 05 – 08 December 2014: More girly clothing store deaths! More proof the suck-ass economy is going to kick yours!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

British empire’s British Petroleum (BP) said that crashing oil prices are causing them to “accelerate” their already massive planned layoffs.  Those layoffs have been in the works ever since BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil disaster.

Gannett owned USA Today announced it is ending publication of its USA Weekend edition, eliminating at least 30 jobs.  Back in September USA Today laid off 70 people.

California:  In Beverly Hills, 3D movie tech company RealD announced it must cut $16-million in expenses and warned jobs will be lost.  After eight years award winning restaurant Hatfield’s shutdown. No explanation, but the owners swore they’d be back with a new restaurant.  In Ontario, corporate spy agency IntelliSource issued a WARN saying the will shutdown by February 2015, at least 312 jobs lost!  In Santa Monica, La Sandia restaurant issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in February 2015, at least 74 jobs lost.  Also in Santa Monica, Zengo restaurant issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in February 2015, at least 74 jobs lost.  Freedom Communications revealed (in a late issued WARN) how many people it laid off after halting publication of its LA Register; 88.  Earlier reports said only 20 people were let go.

Georgia: Atlanta based iconic Coca Cola announced it is cutting $100-million AUD from its Australian ops in 2015, killing off at least 250 jobs in the Land Down Under! Coca Cola already killed off at least 157 Australian jobs for 2014!  Procter & Gamble warned it will shutdown its Augusta factory by 2016, at least 190 jobs lost (40 employees, 150 contractors)!  Between 2012 and 2013 Procter & Gamble eliminated 160 jobs at the same factory!  Company administrators say the rapidly changing U.S. economy means they must radically change their supply system across the U.S.

Idaho: Administrators with “the nation’s largest supplier of building materials for home building” ProBuild announced they’re shutting down their Sandpoint ops due to crashing sales.

Illinois: God refused to stop ‘his’ Benedictine University from ending its undergraduate program and killing as many as 100 jobs!   In Oregon city, after four years Jackass BBQ shutdown with little notice, the owner is pissed about the lack of any economic recovery, he’s now forced to auction off his personal tools: “Business is slow here in Oregon…Most people from Dixon do not drive here anymore….We will have lots of Craftsman tools and toolboxes, antiques, household items and furniture. We have a welder and oxygen acetylene cutting torches, along with several steel industrial work benches.”-Andy Riegel

Kentucky: Patriot Coal announced more coal mine shutdowns, this time two mines will be shutdown by January 2015, at least 670 jobs lost!

Mississippi: In Jackson County, bankrupt Mississippi Phosphates announced they’re halting diammonium phosphate production, at least 172 jobs lost!

New York:  NYC based bratty teenage girl’s clothing chain store dELiA*s now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and liquidating.  The company has been for sale for a long time now, but obviously nobody wants to buy it in this suck-ass economy.  Company administrators admitted sales are so bad they haven’t made a profit in five years!  In Ithaca, after more than 40 years Manos Diner shutdown. The news was revealed by an employee.  In Saratoga county, the company about to takeover Maplewood Manor nursing home, Zenith Healthcare, revealed they plan on eliminating 97 jobs and move other employees to part time only.

Texas: God refused to stop ‘his’ Southern Methodist University (home of the George W. Bush Presidential Library) from cutting programs and killing jobs. The Christian university has spent tens of millions on new dorm buildings despite DSS (what I call Disappearing Student Syndrome).

Wisconsin: Non-profit WPS Health Insurance (aka Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation) laid off 20 IT (information technology) workers. The company laid off 250 people in 2013! Administrators blame their military Tricare (formerly known as CHAMPUS, Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services) and Medicare contracts, as well as blaming Obama Care: “The reality is the competition for these government contracts, along with health care reform, is requiring everyone to look for more efficiencies.”– Ellen Foley

03-04-december-2014: Iconic business that survived 2 major U.S. depressions gets killed off by current “recovery”!

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 03 – 04 December 2014: “Sometimes life throws you a curve ball.” Iconic business that survived 2 major U.S. depressions gets killed off by current “recovery”! Any fool can see the “recovered” economy sucks-ass!!!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In Korbel, California Redwood issued a WARN saying they will shutdown in February 2015, at least 106 jobs lost!  In Burlingame, Mills-Peninsula Health issued a WARN saying they will render 67 employees jobless by February 2015.  Ireland based drug maker Actavis took over California based Allergan, then issued a WARN saying 200 people in Corona will become jobless!  Freedom Communications halted publication of its five months old Los Angeles Register.  Company administrators refused to say how many got laid off, but an unnamed employee said at least 20 people are now jobless. In Auburn, the owners of pet supply store Pet Xing announced they’re shutting down in January 2015.  They described the suck-ass economy thusly “Sometimes life throws you a curve ball.”

Colorado: Denver based WOW cable jacked up service rates then eliminated 270 jobs across the country!  At least one irate customer in Kansas was happy, posting online “Hopefully that means they are about ready to sell out and leave Lawrence. It would be too good to be true that another company with better service and lower rates were to come into the area. Competition would be good if more than one company were available for customers to choose from.”

Florida: In West Palm Beach, transportation and warehousing company Metro Mobility issued a WARN saying they’ll layoff 286 people in January 2015!

Illinois: A Panera Bread store shutdown. Company administrators said the city’s recent minimum wage hike, to $13 per hour over the next five years, was the final straw that broke their Beverly store’s back. Rumors say the company will simply open a new store just outside city limits. The owner of Beverly’s Original Rainbow Cone warned she is contemplating a similar decision.  In Urbana, after only one year a Kroger owned Ruler Foods discount grocery store shutdown without notice. For some reason Kroger built three Ruler Foods stores in Urbana in the space of two years, apparently that was one too many. Company administrators refused to talk to local news media.

Maine: After 184 years (surviving the Long Depression and the Great [deflationary] Depression, plus numerous recessions) iconic shoe store chain JL Combs now dead! Stores across several New England states to close by January 2015.  JL Combs was the oldest shoe store chain in the U.S., company administrators posted this humorous  reason why they’re shutting down: “It’s just too damn hard with all this new fangled competition everywhere.  And I’m starting to feel a bit tired of working 7 days a week.  After all, I’m 184 years old!”

Michigan: After suddenly shutting down all 136 operations in 25 states and Puerto Rico, American Laser Skincare (formerly known as American Laser Centers) now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and liquidating. Some employees reported they were threatened by armed security guards that they had less than two hours to get all their gear and vacate the premises! Many customers pre-paid for skincare services worth thousands of dollars, and will not be getting refunds!  Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center shutting down and killing off 96 jobs due to reduced inpatient care caused by Obama Care: “We wish we weren’t writing the final chapter, but the changing healthcare environment has left us no alternative.”-Jim Hettinger, Board of Trustees

The CEO of the Oaklawn Hospital, Ginger Williams, said people should have seen this coming before Obama Care became law, saying it’s “…an unfortunate, but entirely predictable, consequence of health care reform.”

Minnesota: In Rochester, Big Lots is shutting down in January 2015.  Local news reports say company administrators refuse to say why.  I say Big Lots is a ripoff because I’ve found many of the items I price checked to be much cheaper at first run retailers (at least here in Idaho)! By the way, Big Lots exited the Canadian market in 2013, a portent of things to come for U.S. retailers wanting to do business in the Great White North?

Missouri:  In Kansas City, 65 years old Golden Ox steak restaurant shutdown. News reports said the owner wanted to retire, but could his retirement have been influenced by the skyrocketing prices of beef?

Nevada: Not even one month after re-opening, the Laughlin River Lodge laid off 10% of its employees, blaming the suck-ass economy: “Once we opened up, the gaming was solid but it’s not been solid enough to overcome the shortfalls on the hotel and somewhat on the food and beverage side. We’re just not getting the occupancy we need to make those parts of our division able to pay all that payroll.”-Steve DesChamps, general manager

New York: In NYC, Aéropostale announced they are shutting down 75 stores before the end of 2014! That’s about 25 more than what was originally planned.  Administrators blame their crashing-n-burning sales.  Also in NYC, restaurant operator RA Herald Square-Patina Restaurant Group issued a WARN saying they will close in February 2015, supposedly for remodeling, 89 jobs affected.  For the second time this year State Department of Labor administrators announced they must render their own employees jobless.  The number of people being laid off in this latest round of job cuts was not disclosed, but news reports say in the first round 67 people lost their jobs and 215 were pushed to part time work only.  State administrators blame “cuts in federal funding”.

North Carolina: British empire United Kingdom based legal drugs pusher GlaxoSmithKline announced 900 job losses at the Research Triangle Park!   Morehead Memorial Hospital laid off 22 people, and reduced the work hours for another 160! WFMY News 2 reported that hospital administrators directly blame Obama Care.  Sykes Enterprises issued a WARN saying they’re consolidating call centers, 226 jobs lost!

Ohio: In Waverly, 78 years old Lake White Club restaurant shutdown. After months of spending money on renovations, the bad economy forced the current owners to put the restaurant up for auction in October, but nobody bid on it.  In Trotwood, the Hara Arena announced layoffs due to the suck-ass economy.  Local news reports say the 50 years old arena now has only 12 employees.

Pennsylvania: After 80 years, female clothing chain store Deb Shops (aka DEB) now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

Texas: Wiley College laid off 16 employees and furloughed others due to DSS (what I call Disappearing Student Syndrome) and crashing donations.  The Woodlands based Huntsman Corporation announced it will eliminate 900 jobs!  It’s connected to the takeover of competitor Rockwood Holdings.

Virginia: In King George, after 18 years the owner of Howard’s Bakery & Restaurant announced they will shutdown after Xmas. Local news reports said the owner blamed the past three years of suck-ass sales.

Wisconsin: In Madison, after 22 years Jolly Bob’s Caribbean restaurant shutdown. The owner, Tim Erickson, blamed the lack of economic recovery: “The last five years have been really difficult, not that the first 17 years were easy, but especially the last five years have been really tough. And I’m not a young man anymore.”

01-02-december-2014: …kills off 30-thousand+ jobs joins mass-exodus from obama’s home state…

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 01 – 02 December 2014: Jewelry seller kills off 30-thousand+ jobs in U.S. & Canada, & joins the mass exodus from Obama’s ‘home’ state! Puerto Rico bank abandons Lower 48! Drug makers abandon the U.S.?

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

British empire United Kingdom based legal drugs pusher GlaxoSmithKline announced massive layoffs that will impact hundreds of jobs in the United States!   Apparently the bad economy in the U.S. is forcing the British company to cut expenses by $1.56-billion over the next three years.  What the company said sounds like their abandoning the U.S. market: “…a new restructuring program to refocus our global pharmaceuticals business and deliver cost savings. The aim of this program is to improve performance by taking unnecessary complexity out of our operations and establish a smaller, more focused organization, operating at lower costs, that supports our future portfolio.”

California: Boeing subsidiary Narus shutdown their Sunnyvale office with little notice to state employment administrators, 35 jobs lost.

Florida: After 25 years the SoBe Thrifty store in Miami Beach announced they will shutdown in January 2015.  The operator, healthcare agency Care Resource, blames road construction which has caused a “sharp drop” in business as well as the landlord who jacked up the rent: “This is something we didn’t want to do. The general business decline, mixed with steep rent increases in that area, literally make it impossible to keep the store open.”-Jonathan Welsh

Illinois: Oakton Community College warned it will layoff 80 teachers before the 2015-16 school year. Apparently the teachers are retired and a potential new state law says retired teachers can no longer be hired by state funded schools. UPS (United Parcel Service) issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Addison operations for the next two years, rendering 449 people jobless!   In Rosemont, Puerto Rico based  Banco Popular killing off 233 jobs! The bank is getting the hell out of the continental United States, and is conducting a massive sell-off of its offices across the Lower 48.  Also in Rosemont, Rosewood Restaurant & Banquets issued a WARN saying they will shutdown at the end of December, 104 jobs lost!  Sealy Mattress issued a WARN saying 174 people working at their Batavia factory will become unemployed before Xmas!  Evil collections agency Ceannate announced they’re shutting down their Rockford office in February 2015, at least 130 jobs lost!  Four Chicago area country clubs shutting down by January 2015, at least 288 jobs lost! Also in Chicago, Continental Furniture laying off 63 people in January 2015 as well as GE Zenith Controls laying off 139 people in January 2015!  God refuses to stop ‘his’ Benedictine University from laying off an undisclosed number of employees on their Springfield campus, right after  Xmas!   In Wood Dale, after 28 years direct jewelry seller Lia Sophia announced they will end U.S. and Canadian operations by February 2015, tens of thousands of employees and independent sellers affected!  A 2008 news report said Lia Sophia had 27-thousand sellers just in the United States, and currently there are 8-hundred sellers in the state of Illinois!   Company administrators blamed the suck-ass economy: “…given the challenging business environment, we made the painful decision to wind down Lia Sophia in the United States and Canada by December 31, and cease operations by the end of February.”

Indiana: The Hollywood Casino laid off an undisclosed number of employees.  Local news reports say the casino now has 450 less employees than it did in 2012!

Iowa: In Cedar Rapids, after nine years Cranky Hank’s pizza joint in the Lindale Mall shutdown.

Maine: The University of Southern Maine continues to kill off jobs, this time 61 people now unemployed and five programs canceled. They continue to blame a 30% crash in student enrollment!

Michigan: The Holland Museum laid off six employees and reduced operating hours.  Administrators warned if their financial situation doesn’t improve within six months they will shutdown.  Apparently the museum gets local tax funding, but  tax strapped voters recently voted down funding increases.

Missouri: 20 years old Saint Louis based Access Courier issued a WARN saying they will kill off 74 jobs in December, due to “sale of assets”.  South Dakota based Raven Industries issued a WARN saying they’re shutting down their Earth City ops by August 2015,  at least 58 jobs lost.  Their Earth City factory makes remote controls for adjustable beds, but sales are apparently so bad that the company will make more money selling off the factory.

New York: In Kirkwood, book publisher Penguin Random House issued a WARN saying they’re shutting down in September 2015, layoffs will begin in January 2015, at least 286 jobs will be lost!  NYC based sports media management company IMG laying off 100 employees!  It the result of being taken over by California based privately held talent agency WME.  Once again The New York Times killing off more jobs.  Recently the newspaper tried to bribe 100 employees to quit with buyouts, 85 employees took the deal.  Now at least 15 people will be laid off outright.   And after 95 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) art supply store Sam Flax announced it will shutdown its HQ store on 900 Third Avenue by Xmas!  Employees blamed the evil landlord for jacking up the rent!

Utah: In Ogden, after 38 years the family owners of Sandy’s Fine Foods restaurant announced they will shutdown by the end of the month. It will end with a yard sale of restaurant memorabilia. The family will focus on their catering business.

Vermont: Vermont Technical College warned of layoffs due partly to the loss of 160 students over the past three years.

Washington: Near Pasco, the largest trucking operation in the World  Swift Transportation issued a WARN saying they’re killing off 130 jobs in January 2015!

27-30-november-2014: “Everything must go!”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 27 – 30 November 2014: “everything must go!” Iconic eastern Idaho hobbie shop up for sale!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California:  In Stockton, food processor Hormel announced they will shutdown their 65 years old chili and Dinty Moore beef stew factory in February 2015, at least 110 jobs lost! Company administrators blame the record level prices of beef for causing a 21% drop in profits!

Hawaii: After 93 years of name changes family owned “Cheap, cheap, cheap, plenty, plenty, plenty!” Pinky’s convenience store shutdown.   The owner says she has “other plans”.

Click pics to make bigger

Idaho: After 66 years Blackfoot Appliance & Furniture announced they will shutdown by the end of January 2015, “everything must go!” In Chubbuck, after 23 years the iconic local Dapco Hobbies now up for sale.  The current owner (not the friendly family owners that moved the shop to Chubbuck, Corey & Melia) is selling everything off and wants out of the hobby business.   Dapco Hobbies was originally located on Garrett Way in Pocatello (according to the BBB that was beginning in 1991), then, after Corey & Melia took over Dapco relocated to Chubbuck around 2007-08.  For a very brief time Dapco Hobbies had a shop in Ammon then Idaho Falls (apparently they left about the same time the ‘big box’ Hobby Town left Idaho Falls), and they even had an internet website.  They started out focused on trains, then shifted to RC when that got big.  I went there for the plastic model kits (and I still do although it’s looking empty, hope there’s somebody who can buy it and keep running it as a hobby shop).

Missouri: In Hannibal, after 34 years the owners of Artique Frame Palette announced they will shutdown in December.

New Jersey: After 86 years Garden State based Becker’s School Supplies shutting down six of its seven stores in Pennsylvania and Delaware! Apparently the school supplies company is shifting to internet sales only.

Texas:  In College Station, after 14 years La Bodega taco bar shutdown. The owner said they had to vacate the old decrepit building, and hopes to find a new location.

Washington: After 63 years A&J Meats and Seafood shutdown.

Wisconsin: After more than 25 years the owners of Golden Karat Jewelers in Rhinelander announced they will shutdown in January 2015.

23-26-november-2014: HP kills 41-thousand jobs!

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 23 – 26 November 2014: “unprecedented financial challenges” California based HP kills 41-thousand+ jobs! More massive healthcare cuts! More foreign companies funded with U.S. taxes killing jobs!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: Reports revealed that Palo Alto based Hewlett Packard will kill off 41-thousand jobs by the end of 2014!!!  As many as 32-thousand people around the World have already been rendered jobless!!!  But wait there’s more!  Those same reports say evil Meg Whitman is planning on killing off more jobs in 2015, and splitting the company into two smaller operations, which usually means at least one will be sold off!   In Mountain View, software company Symantec issued a WARN saying at least 12 people will become unemployed in January 2015.  In Monterey, Aramark Sports issued a WARN saying they are shutting down in February 2015, at least 119 people to become jobless!

Florida: In Miami, RBC Wealth Management issued a WARN saying it will render 115 employees jobless between now and August 2015!  Also in Miami, healthcare and social assistance company CHARLEE of Dade County issued a WARN saying they will layoff 67 employees between January and February 2015.  In Port Saint Lucie, diabetes testing supply company Liberty Medical issued a WARN saying they’re shutting down in January 2015, at least 417 jobs lost!  In Fort Lauderdale, Senior Healthcare Services issued a WARN saying they will shutdown between January and February 2015, at least 348 jobs lost!

Idaho: School District 25, in Bannock County, warned they could be  $1.5-million USD in the hole, with the ending of current levies.  But wait, there’s more bull-shit!  District 25 administrators want new levies valued at $10-million!   This despite decades of levy and bond issues burdening tax payers, as well as decades of lottery payments which school district administrators can’t seem to account for!   It’s interesting the school levies and bonds always pass ‘elections’ no matter how many people publicly oppose them.

Illinois:  Exelon administrators warned they are considering shutting down three aged nuclear power plants sometime after Summer 2015.  They blame little or no growth in electricity demand since 2008 (gee, isn’t that when the ‘recession’ began?).

Kansas: After 91 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Jilka Furniture announced it will shutdown in December: “With the many changes taking place in the furniture industry, we felt it was a wise decision to close our store.”-Bud and Loretta Jilka

Kentucky: God refuses to stop layoffs at ‘his’ Lexington Quest Community Church, at least 15 people will be let go due to “unprecedented financial challenges”, never mind that the two head pastors were engaged in “crossing of physical boundaries while stopping short of sexual intercourse.”  The two perfect examples of Christian morality are married, but not to each other!

Michigan: In Liberty Township, more than four decades old Yukon Jack Food & Spirits restaurant shutdown. Before it was a restaurant (starting in 1970) it was a grocery store. Local news media said the owners refused to talk.

New York: After only a year neighborhood grocery store Delancey Market shutdown.  In Brooklyn, nursing home Shorefront Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing Care amended their WARN saying they will shutdown in December due to sale of the business, 482 jobs affected!  In NYC, rapid response healthcare provider Rivington House shutdown, 231 jobs lost!   Also in NYC, Too Big to Jail Bank of America issued a WARN saying they are rendering jobless 95 people by Febraury 2015.  Also in NYC, after 44 years Lea’s Dress Shop shutdown.  Is it because the monthly rent for the small space is $8-thousand?  And fashion designer Ralph Rucci abandoned his snooty upscale fashion house and the new operators laid off at least 15 employees.  The new operators say that because of the bad economy (which appears to affect even the pocketbooks of the wanna-be 1%) Ralph Rucci LLC will now focus on “a more accessible designer product assortment for a wider audience.”  Holiday Inn issued a WARN saying they are shutting down their operations at the Latham hotel in February 2015, at least 50 jobs lost due to loss of contract. In Troy, city administrators warned they will have to eliminated 18 fire fighter and police  jobs.  However, fire fighters and cops say the plan would result in lots of overtime pay, so the layoffs don’t make sense.   However, they might make sense if you’re looking at trying to reduce the amount of money per employee going to the jacked up Obama Care health insurance and retirement plans (wake up people!).

North Carolina: Switzerland based evil GMO seeds and agrochemicals company Syngenta announced it will kill off 18-hundred jobs between 2015 and 2018 (note they obviously don’t expect any recovery until after 2018)!  The job culling will be felt within the United States, like Greensboro where the company is getting a state taxpayer grant of $2.98-million!

Ohio: All 14 Ohio Friendly’s Restaurants shutdown! The francisee blamed the bad economy: “These closings are regrettable, however continuing operation was no longer viable.”-Apex Eagle Hospitality

Tennessee: In Chattanooga, the owners of SturmHaus Beer Market announced it will shutdown in December, blaming the bad economy: “Craft beer share is not enough to sustain our vision for a quaint, downtown on-premise, off-premise gathering place.”

Wisconsin: Water management company Pentair Flow Tech. issued a WARN saying they’re halting a production line at their Delavan operations, 60 jobs lost.

21 – 22 november 2014: “any worker who loses their income will have an impact”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 21 – 22 November 2014: “Any worker who loses their income will have an impact on the city!” Obamacare kills off government jobs in California!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alpha Natural Resources announced at least 62 people laid off at their coal mine ops in Kentucky and West Virginia.

Arkansas: Little Rock based Windstream Communications announced another 350 layoffs, on top of the 400 layoffs earlier this year!  The company is undergoing radical change due to the suck-ass economy, including trying to become an evil REIT (real estate investment trust).

California: In Walnut Creek, Valley Waste Management issued a WARN saying 66 employees will be laid off in February 2015.  Boeing issued more WARNs saying another 181 employees across southern California will be laid off by January 2015!  In Van Nuys, Keaster Products issued a WARN saying they will shutdown at the end of December.  San Francisco based video game maker Double Fine laid off at least 12 employees, and cancelled work on its latest video game.  In Sacramento, the Golden State senate immediately laid off 39 of its own upper house employees.  Another 50 employees will be laid off through attrition.  Also, state employees will see at least a $30 per month increase in their health insurance payments, no thanks to Obama Care!

Connecticut: In Torrington, after more than 60 years the owner of children’s items store Reibman’s said she might shutdown in December.  The owner of the store also owns the building, and is jumping on the property development train.  She’s been trying to sell the building with no luck, so maybe she can rent it out?

Georgia: God refuses to stop Saint Francis Hospital from laying off 65 healthcare workers, suddenly. Administrators implied that reduced funding caused by Obama Care forced them to re-examine their ‘books’, during which they discovered they were $30-million USD short! Administrators admitted to employees that they “overestimated” expected payments.

Idaho: The mayor of American Falls reported that the local ALCO store was shutting down, he was alerted when he saw employees putting up the going out of business signs.  It’s one of five Idaho ALCO stores being shutdown (see Texas below). The American Falls mayor says his small city can’t afford more job losses: “Any worker who loses their income will have an impact on the city!”-Marc Beitia

Illinois: In Geneva, after 18 years women’s clothing store Sandra Webster shutdown.

Kentucky: In Louisville, after 33 years Gavi’s Restaurant shutdown.

Michigan: In Owosso, Planned Parenthood shutting down in December due to crashing federal funding.

Minnesota: God refuses to stop ‘his’ 60 years old Christian Book and Gift Store in Rochester from shutting down right after Xmas!

Ohio: In Mansfield, after 47 years Grantie’s Grinders (sub style sandwiches) shutdown, 11 jobs lost. The owners blame competition from a ‘big box’ sandwich shop that recently moved into the neighborhood.

Pennsylvania: Only four years after Swedish vehicle maker Volvo set up shop in Shippensburg, Volvo administrators revealed they will shutdown specific heavy construction vehicle production, not only in the U.S. but in Poland and Brazil, killing off at least 1-thousand jobs into 2015!    Mercyhurst University laid off 14 administrators and demoted six full time employees to part time. Other employees are taking pay cuts, it’s blamed on crashing enrollment.  In Muhlenburg, God refuses to stop’his’ Salvation Army Thrift Store from shutting down.  Administrators with the Queen of England controlled Salvation Army says the store has been losing money for years.

Tennessee: In West Knoxville Sonny’s BBQ shutdown.

Texas: After 113 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Coppell based ALCO (formerly known as Duckwall-ALCO) announced they will shutdown all 198 stores across the United States!

Vermont:  Vermont Technical College warned of layoffs due partly to the loss of 160 students over the past three years.

Washington: Too Big to Jail Union Bank announced they will shutdown 20 offices by March 2015.  Those offices once belonged to Frontier Bank (which failed).

West Virginia: Patriot Coal announced another 130 coal mining jobs lost!

20 november 2014: armed guards used to layoff employees!

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 20 November 2014: “We found ourselves with our backs against the wall” Skincare center calls in armed guards to layoff employees!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

International based “Free daily newspaper” Metro.US laid off five employees in New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

Alabama: Boeing issued a WARN saying employees will be laid off at their Huntsville NASA ops in January 2015.

Indiana: Shopko issued a WARN saying it will shutdown their Lebanon distribution center. The shutdown will be completed by September 2015, 95 to 100 jobs lost!

Kentucky:  In Ashland, after only two years the Lamp Post Cafe shutdown with little notice, the lease was not renewed at the last moment, the owners blame the bad economy: “We’re two years into it and it is a tough economy. While we’ve certainly been moving forward, we are a victim of the economy. We found ourselves with our backs against the wall….Our first winter, the electric bill just about killed us…”-Shane Fields

Massachusetts: Framingham based Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples announced the shutdown of 170 North American stores, I’m not sure if this is part of, or, on top of its previous list of 225 that will be shutdown by mid 2015!  More proof the internet isn’t killing off brick-n-mortars. TV through the internet service provider Aereo now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, it’s blamed on lack of funding and a federal court order preventing the company from streaming specific TV shows.

Michigan: Without warning American Laser Skincare (formerly known as American Laser Centers) shutdown all 136 operations in 25 states and Puerto Rico, at least 1-thousand jobs lost! Some employees reported they were threatened by armed security guards that they had less than two hours to get all their gear and vacate the premises!  Many customers pre-paid for skincare services worth thousands of dollars, and will not be getting refunds! The Northeast California Branch of the Better Business Bureau says customers are screwed: “To say it doesn’t happen would be a misnomer. We see it with gyms, cosmetic surgery, all kinds of stuff. There’s been a big recession, and a lot of people [companies] are financially unstable, and you don’t really know about their financial condition. We’ve had people pay them like the day before they closed their doors.”-Gary Almond

In order to cut costs due to reduced payments caused by Obama Care, Holland Hospital laid off all their in-house language interpreters.  The Detroit Free Press warned of layoffs, to take place before U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, and again before the western Christian Xmas holiday (which is at a different time than eastern Christian Xmas). The newspaper is owned by Gannet, which is also killing off jobs at other newspapers around the U.S.

Missouri: Belgium-Brazil owned beer brewer Anheuser-Busch admitted to laying off employees at its Saint Louis brewery, but refused to give a number.  Anheuser-Busch also shutdown its U.S. Busch Media Group.  HVAC maker Nordyne announced it will complete its shutdown of two factories by June 2015, at least 700 jobs lost!

New York: In Brooklyn, after only a year the owner of Marco’s restaurant announced it will shutdown in December. The owner says the profits weren’t high enough to cover operating costs.  In NYC, reports that The New York Times will kill off even more news gathering jobs, via the bribing of at least 100 employees with  “buyouts”!  Warnings that British empire United Kingdom based Reuters will layoff news staff in NYC.  Thompson Reuters says they’re news division has lost $79-million USD in its last quarter!

Pennsylvania: After 13  years Endless Mountains Quiltworks shutdown due to family health problems.

Vermont: The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant announced it will  shutdown at the end of 2014.  165 employees to become jobless, while 316 will remain for the decommissioning process until the end of 2016!  At one point 625 people were employed!

17-19 november 2014: Cargill & Walmart join exodus from Canada

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 17 – 19 November 2014: “I can’t believe I’m turning into one of your sad stories…” Cargill & Walmart join exodus from Canada? More call centers go down!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arkansas: Bentonville based Walmart revealed it eliminated 210 jobs at its Ontario, Canada, office!  The latest round of layoffs are on top of 750 revealed earlier this Spring!

California: In Auberry, the Wish-I-Ah Healthcare & Wellness Center ordered shutdown by state health administrators who declared the nursing home to be posing “immediate and serious risks” to the paitents, at least 95 jobs lost.  Sears Holdings announced they will shutdown the Yuba City Kmart in December, 63 jobs lost.  In Auburn, after 38 years Lou La Bonite’s restaurant shutdown. In San Diego, Science Application International issued a WARN saying they will eliminate 63 jobs by February 2015.   San Diego based Pizzeria Mozza shutdown their new Seaport District restaurant, and canceled all upcoming pizza making classes: “Sadly, the gospel of Mozza pizza did not adequately spread to the people of San Diego. We regret that we will not be able to continue to serve the community there…”-company statement

Colorado: In Leadville, after 135 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) God refuses to stop the shutdown of Christian founded Saint Vincent Hospital. Perhaps because of reduced payments caused by Obama Care, the administrators say they cannot afford to fix the broken heating system.

Idaho: In Boise, after 73 years Molenaar Jewelers announced a going out of business sale, the owner was unable to find a buyer for the business which will shutdown in Janaury 2015.  Also in Boise, a year after taking over Boise Paper (aka Boise Inc) for $1.27-billion USD, Packaging Corporation of America issued a WARN saying they will shutdown the Boise location by March 2015, at least 152 jobs lost!

Florida:  Orlando based Darden Restaurants killed 85 jobs (60 filled, 25 vacant positions) at its HQ. Darden operates Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse. Company administrators say the skyrocketing price of food (like beef) is forcing them to cut $20-million USD from their 2014-15 budget!  In Palm Beach Gardens, Morrison Healthcare issued a WARN saying they will render 71 employees jobless in January 2015.

Minnesota: After announcing plans in April to expand ops in Canada, Minnetonka based food processor Cargill actually expanded their job killing! Cargill sold off a Winnipeg feed mill and shutdown a Manitoba mill, as well as shutdown a Manitoba granary. News reports gave various reasons from saying the mills needed upgrades that were too expensive to pay for, to Cargill needing to become more efficient in the Canadian livestock feed industry. No details reported on how many Great White North jobs will be lost.

Missouri: CenturyLink announced they will shutdown their Columbia dispatch center in January 2015, at least 40 jobs lost.

Nebraska: God refuses to stop Kearny based CHI (Catholic Health Initiatives) Health Good Samaritan from killing “…1,500 administrative and support positions across the country by Jan. 30, 2015.”, despite recently getting a $3.3-million grant.  Administrators blame Obama Care for driving away customers.

New York: In Auburn, AC maker Daikin Applied issued a WARN announcing a 3rd round of layoffs.  The company is shutting down by December 2015, affecting a total of 310 jobs!   In Geneva, after months of rumors 54 years old Madia’s Big M grocery store shutdown. The Madia family basically said it wasn’t worth it operating a grocery store anymore and will focus on their other business ops. In Saranac Lake, the non-profit science research Trudeau Institute continues to layoff employees, despite getting new state funding.  This time five people to become unemployed by the end of 2014.  In West Village, after 15 years Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks shutting down in January 2015, the owner says the landlord suddenly refused to renew the lease: “I can’t believe I’m turning into one of your sad stories, but I’ve just lost my lease…..My landlord doesn’t want me here….It doesn’t matter if he hears from 10-thousand people. He didn’t even offer me a different rent, he just said, ‘no!’.”

Pennsylvania: The Ephrata Library killed off 11 jobs due to funding cuts.

Ohio:  MAGY Staffing issued a WARN saying they will shutdown call centers and offices in Toledo and Holland, 225 people to become jobless by January 2015!   In Stryker, A. Schulman announced it will shutdown its color concentrates and additives factory in April 2015, 70 jobs lost.  Administrators say the bad economy is forcing them to “right size”.

Rhode Island: After 70 years Damon’s Hardware shutdown.

Texas: In Houston, Hollywood Vietnamese & Chinese Cuisine shutdown.  Oil industry companies Halliburton and Baker Hughes warned of massive layoffs saying they need to cut expenses by $2-billion!

Vermont: In Rutland, owners of Sal’s Downtown Restaurant announced they will shutdown in December. Apparently the landlord refused to renew the lease.

Virginia: Medical testing lab Health Diagnostic Laboratory revealed they laid off 132 employees! However, the company has been accused of paying (bribing) health care providers to use their service.

14-16 november 2014: “like watching people get executed”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 14 – 16 November 2014: “It was like watching people get executed.” 11-thousand+ jobs killed off in New Jersey! Boastful female owned company looses contract “due to unprofessionalism”!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona: In Tucson, Bring Funeral Homes on Scott Avenue died.  The owners had to consolidate ops to their Broadway location.  The morbid owners actually blamed it on the lack of dying people near their Scott Avenue location!

California: In Calabasas, Microsoft controlled HERE North America (formerly Nokia Location & Commerce) issued a WARN saying at least 18 people will be laid off between January and February 2015.  In Los Angeles, Trinity Sports issued a WARN saying they will shutdown by January 2015, at least 135 jobs lost!

Florida: After barely 12 years the Sea Breeze Winery announced they’re shutting down in December. The owner says she’ll continue to sell grapes to other wineries.  In University Park, Shapes Total Fitness discriminatory women’s only fitness club shutdown, it’s blamed on the property owners for jacking up the rent.  In Panama City, after 80 years commercial printer Boyd Brothers shutdown, blaming the economy and the Too Big to Jail banks for killing off 100 jobs: “…due to the changing dynamics of the industry and lack of access to capital, Boyd is forced to close its doors.”  

Indiana: In Jasper, after 66 years Inwood Office Furniture shutdown, 85 jobs lost.  The owners blamed crashing sales and an offer for their property they couldn’t refuse: “…demand for quality wood private office furniture continues to decline, and because we have a committed purchaser for our plant and land…” 

Iowa: What automotive industry recovery?  Vehicle muffler maker Donaldson announced they are shutting down their Grinnel factory and consolidating operations to Alabama, 75 jobs lost.  In Iowa City, after 34 years the local owner of the soap store The Soap Opera announced it will shutdown in January 2015, for personal reasons.

Kentucky: O’Brien & Gere engineering laid off 27 employees as it shutdown its Louisville office, blaming a decline in taxpayer funded government construction projects.

Maine: The Big Lots rip off store in Bangor is shutting down in January 2015.  I say it’s a ripoff because I’ve found many of the items I price checked to be much cheaper at first run retailers (at least here in Idaho)!  By the way, Big Lots exited the Canadian market in 2013, a portent of things to come for U.S. retailers wanting to do business in the Great White North?

New Jersey: In Atlantic City, the owner of Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort (the owner is not Donald Trump) made it official and announced its shutdown, 3-thousand jobs will be lost!  It’s the 5th Atlantic City casino to shutdown in 2014, for a total of 11-thousand jobs lost, not counting all the outside suppliers and mom & pops that relied on the casinos for business!!!   In Ridgewood, Obama Care is the final straw that killed off decades old Harding Pharmacy and Liquors.  The independent owner of the store directly blamed “reduced reimbursements” for forcing him to sell out and go to work for a competing pharmacy.   In Raritan, after 11 years women’s clothing store Chaos shutdown.  The owner, Karen Brooks, said “With rent, utilities and other operating costs, it’s hard to see the value in trying to keep up.”  Englewood based CNBC (formerly the Consumer News and Business Channel) unexpectedly laid off eight employees: “The total bloodbath was unexpected. They pushed out a lot of loyal, very qualified people. It was like watching people get executed.”-unnamed source quoted by Business Insider

Brookdale Community College administrators say crashing enrollment is causing them to be short $8.5-million USD for the upcoming 2015-16 school year and warned of 210 layoffs: “These are tough times and the organizational structure we have now is not sustainable; the board is aware of this harsh fact. Our current models are no longer effective in serving today’s students, and we must catch up with the advances that have been made in educational technology.”-Maureen Murphy, president

Ohio: Hocking College laid off 36 employees and warned of mandatory furloughs for others, blaming DSS (what I call Disappearing Student Syndrome). In 2010 the college had 6,599 students, in 2013 there were 4,094 students and for the 2014-15 year they’re down to 3,474; almost a 50% drop in enrollment since 2010!

Pennsylvania: In Hazelton, it was revealed that Weir Minerals will shutdown and move ops to Wisconsin and Georgia by March 2015, at least 90 jobs lost.  Anti-2nd Amendment Pepsi shutdown yet another distribution center, this time in West Goshen. 60 employees are being forced to move, if they want to stay employed, while at least six employees were rendered unemployed.   In Dallas, Offset Paperback Manufacturers issued a WARN saying 37 people will become jobless in January 2015.  In Towanda, Global Tungsten & Powders laid off 120 people saying “The company has been severely impacted by the low pricing of finished phosphor exported from China, which has affected (GTP’s) ability to competitively manufacture phosphors from rare earth concentrates and also from GTP’s rare earth recycling plant.” 

South Dakota: Electronic gadget insurance company Asurion announced they’re shutting down their seven years old Rapid City call center in January 2015, about 232 jobs lost!

Texas: In Bryan, the company that loves to boast that they are the largest female owned accounts receivables-customer relationship operations in the country, Pennsylvania based Penncro Associates, laid off 175 people with only a few minutes notice!  It’s blamed on the loss of a major contract “due to unprofessionalism”, a female employee said “As of November 28 they were going to start laying everyone off!……I’m not going to have my home any longer. I’m not going to be able to help my family!”-Kelly Henderson

Washington: The for profit Avamere Georgian House nursing home forced to layoff 69 employees and shutdown its Lakewood ops.  Employees said the dilapidated building in Lakewood is forcing the nursing home operator to move patients to their nursing home in Tacoma.  In Vancouver, after 105 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Luepke Florist announced they will shutdown after Xmas due to the new landlord jacking up the rent.

Wisconsin:  In Appleton and Green Bay, after more than ten years Goodwill Industries shutdown their popular Harmony Café. Although it was popular Goodwill administrators say the two restaurants were actually losing money, at least $1-million over the past four years: “The restaurant side got away from us. We kept subsidizing them hoping we would finally create a plan that would be competitive.”-Bob Pedersen, president & CEO

12-13 November-2014 “That’s it, I’m done!”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 12 – 13 November 2014: “That’s it, I’m done!” Greedy employees & Too Big to Jail banks kill off car dealership! No more Remington? Microsoft kills NBC?

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: Illinois based Abbott Vascular issued several WARNs saying more than 100 Golden Staters will be laid off!  Reports say just two years ago the medical device company had 4-thousand employees, but now has less than 17-hundred (is the job culling related to the new Obama Care medical device tax?)!  In Silver Lakes, after eight years kids shoe store Wee Soles shutdown.  The owner blames crashing sales saying “…people are not willing to pay what a good shoe costs.”  The owner is now returning to her previous job as a dance instructor.  In El Segundo, Aimbridge Employee Service issued a WARN saying they will “temporarily” close in December, 13 jobs lost.  In Santa Anna, ITT Cannon warned they will layoff at least five people in January 2015.  More layoffs for failing Hewlett Packard, this time they laid off 25 people in Palo Alto.  In Torrance, Obama Care caused Providence Health to issue a WARN saying they will shutdown in January 2015, at least 59 jobs lost.

Connecticut: Foxwood Casino laid off 84 people.  That’s on top of the 195 employees already rendered jobless at the failing casino!  What automotive industry recovery?  In Bridgport, after 45 years the Dragone used car dealership shutdown.  The family owned dealership was done in partly by a greedy employee who embezzled them, but the final straw was when the Too Big to Jail banks refused to help out the current owner: “I came in last Friday and said, `That’s it, I’m done!’ That really hurt, I couldn’t get new financing.”-Carman ‘Mimi’ Dragone

Florida: Railroad company CSX warned they will eliminate 300 management jobs, mainly in Jacksonville!  Salaries and travel expenses will also be cut.  Company administrators say that despite revenues going up, operational expenses went up even more.   Also in Jacksonville, URS Federal Services issued a WARN saying 81 people will become jobless at the end of December.   American Express issued a WARN saying at least three people will lose their jobs at their Weston office in January 2015.

Illinois: In Matteson, the owners of the 41 years old Lincoln Mall announced it will shutdown in January 2015.  Don’t blame the economy as a court judge ordered it torn down because it was literally falling apart (the mall owners said they could not afford to maintain the building).  City administrators are scrambling to find new homes for the mall tenants.

Maryland: In Federal Hill, after 116 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Morstein’s Jewelers shutdown.

Michigan:  What automotive industry recovery?  In Lansing, GM (General Motors) revealed that 450 people at its Grand River Assembly Plant could become jobless in early 2015! It’s blamed on crashing sales of upscale Cadillacs. GM also announced the killing off of at least 160 jobs at its Buick and Chevy Assembly Plant in Orion by the end of 2015 (they hope production will go up when they introduce the new Camaro)!

Mississippi: Emilia Cosmetics laid off about 30 employees at its newly acquired skin care factory in Dekalb.  It’s blamed on massive delays in shipments of primary ingredients.  After announcing a $50-million USD expansion in August, light bulb maker Philips laid off 49 employees at their Tupelo factory.  Administrators claim the layoffs are “seasonal”.

New Hampshire: Home heating oil supplier Fred Fuller now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and up for sale.

New Jersey: In Egg Harbor City, Renault Winery Resort and Golf now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. The administrators say they are fighting for the life of the iconic winery: “We have been here for 150 years, and our plan will ensure us being here long into the future. We’re not looking to sell the place. We’re looking to continue the legacy here.”-Dennis Del Vecchio

New York: NBCnews.com (formerly MSNBC.com) will layoff an undisclosed number of employees in New York and Washington state beginning in 2015.  It’s blamed on the expiration of the joint venture with Microsoft.  Reports that Remington Arms laid off 126 people!  This is on top of the 105 people already laid off!  It’s the result of the gun maker getting the hell outta unAmerican New York and moving to Alabama.  Sweden based air traffic manager Saab Sensis laid off 27 people in DeWitt: “As a result of continued challenging business environments in both domestic and international markets…”-Mike Gerry, president

Nevada: In Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment warned of massive layoffs (as many as 600 people!) and possible chapter 11 bankruptcy.  The gambling empire reports they’ve lost money every year since the 2008 recession.

Ohio: What automotive industry recovery?  Maker of specialty metal parts for the automotive and aerospace industries Avalon Precision Metalsmiths (formerly known as Avalon Castings and Precision Metalsmiths) announced it will shutdown its 69 years old Euclid factory, about 50 jobs lost.  Administrators blame crashing sales, pointing out that sales have been crashing for the past ten years!

Oklahoma: What automotive industry recovery?  Auto parts maker Federal Mogul revealed they will shutdown their recently acquired Oklahoma City factory in 2015, at least 165 jobs lost! Federal Mogul took over the factory from Affina Group in June 2014.  The Bank of Oklahoma announced it will shutdown branch offices located in 24 grocery stores, in 2015.  Bank administrators claim they will find jobs for the 75 affected employees.  In Bartlesville, the aged Eastland Four Theater cinema shutdown.  The owners could not afford to switch to digital projectors.  The cost to switch to digital is so expensive that only 88% of U.S. cinemas are digital.

West Virginia: Hendricks Coal issued a WARN saying 90 employees will be laid off from three coal mines, in December.  Alpha Natural Resources laid off 36 coal miners.

Wisconsin: Sears Holdings announced they will shutdown the Eau Claire Kmart in February 2015, at least 93 jobs lost.

10-11 November-2014 “It’s hard to fail.”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.